The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-12
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS.

HE FORTI-NINTH CONGRESS.
Routine Business in the Senate-The POST
Office Bill Under Consideration.
WASHINGTON, Feb 1.-The presiding officer
presented a message from the President with
consular reports on the extent and character of
emigration and immigration. Referred to the
committee on foreign relations.
Mr. Frye, from the committee on foreign rela-
TONS presented a report touching the message
of the President regarding the brig General
Armstrong, that no further legislation is neces-
sary. Laid on the table.
The joint resolution heretofore introduced by
Mr.. Morrill,, for the preservation of official docu-
ments and other material in United States con-
sulates and embassies abroad, was taken up and
passed
The resolution directing the committee on edu-
cation and labor to continue during the recess
and complete the investigation as to the rela
tons between labor and capital, was adopted.
The resolution heretofore offered by Mr.
Plumb, calling on the Secretary of the Interior
for information as to the existence of a rule in
the Pension Office whereby hearings are refused
to applicants because they have applied to Con-
gress for relief, was adopted
Mr.. Stanford introduced bill to provide NOR
FORTS coast defenses and vessels of the United
States. Referred.
Mr.. Henderson. from the committee on mill
tary affairs. reported bill granting the Salt
Lake & Fort Douglass Railway Company right
of way across the Fort Douglass military reser-
walton in Utah. Placed on the calendar
The Senate bill appropriating $l00, 900 for the
improvement and enlargement of the court
house and postoffice at Omaha was passed
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
Eads TebuantaDec hill and Mr. Hoar copc1nd ad
his argument ic support of it.
The bill was laid aside temporarily.
Mr. Dolph introduced bill to authorize Dalles
City to construct bridge across the Columbia
river in Oregon. Referred.
The Senate bill to authorize the Billings,
Clarks Fork & Cook City Railway Company to
construct and operate a railway through the
Crow Indian reservation was passed.
The Senate bill granting the Utah Midland
hallway Company the right of way through the
Uncompahgre and Uintah reservations in Utah
was passed
The Senate then proceeded 70 consideration of
the postofice appropriation bill.
Mr.. Plumb, a member of the committee on
appropriations, having charge of the bill, made
an explanatory statement With the exception
OF single item, he said. the bill, SO far as ap-
preparations of money went. was just as 1t came
from the House. and that was precisely accord
Ing to the estimates of the department So far
as the appropriations related to supplies, and
things of that Sort they were undoubtedly what
less. They indicated economy and care in ad-
ministration. Still, the bill was not what he
thought it ought to be, 80 far the interests of
the service were concerned. without reference to
the mere saving of money The appropriation
for the star-route service 1.-THE service by horse
back ana wagonl was. as asked for by the de-
| partment, S.. 400.O0 Last year the appropria-
ton for the service was So $50 000 or $3.50, 900
more than in this bill The people in sparsely
| settled regions should have the mail service
| which they had right to expect. ard this re-
| CARELESS of any pretense of ecqbomy or
! for any purpose of merely saving money. There
postof1ice department every where. on4rairoads,
steamboats, on the high seas, on the great prai
| ries, by means of the star service>snonld be
| first and foremost in iberalty, with thorough
| emily of the question whether the postal reve
nues met the expenditures or not
The House bill was amended by inserting az
| item providing that no boxes for the collection
of mail matter by carriers shall be placed inside
of any building except q public building, or
| building which is freely open to the public dur
| ing business hours, or a railroad station.
| The amendment as to the transportation o.
| the South American mails was not taken up fol
consideration, as it was expected to lead to de
| bate. and the bill was laid aside TIL to morrow
The Senate bill for negotiating with the Sho
| shone and Bannock tribes of Indians for relin
the Fort Hall reservation AS is required for tn
uses and purposes of the Utah g. Northern Rail
way Company and the Oregon Short-line Rail
way Company was passed.
The House bill TO divide the eastern judici 4
district of Arkansas into two divisions wa
passed. with amendment
| The Senate bill granting to the State of Cali
fornia per cent. of the net proceeds of the sale
of land>in that State was passed-yeas Al, nays
The House bill empowering the Fort Worth
Denver City Railway Company to construct ant
operate railway through the Indian Territor.
was passed
| A motion to reconsider the vote passing it wa
entered by Mr.. Platt. SO that he might have tim
| to examine it.
The Senate bill for the relief of Thomas A
Osborn formerly United States marshal o
Kansas ito repay him SIS. 701 public money los
by him in 1866 through the failure of a privat
bankin housed was passed.
| Adjourned until TO morrow